Defense dominates Liberty’s first scrimmage of camp

After one week and seven practices, Liberty football held its first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday. The Flames opened Williams Stadiums to fans for the first time this month for Fan Appreciation Day. Braving the sweltering weather where temperatures were reaching the mid-90s, the fans who made it out hung out primarily in the concourse and in the shade.

Liberty went through several live periods with the entire roster getting plenty of reps as the first, second, and third teams frequently rotated with some positions even going four-deep. The defense dominated the scrimmage, only allowing one touchdown which came when freshman walk-on running back Russian Williams broke free for a long touchdown run. He was caught up in a pile and it seemed as though the defense stopped, assuming Williams’ forward progress was stopped, but the officials never blew the play dead and Williams raced to the end zone with no one around him.

The first-team offense drove into the red zone on its first possession before stalling out inside the one yard line. On third and goal, Joshua Mack’s run from inside the five was ruled down just shy of the goal line. Quarterbacks wore their typical black no contact jerseys. So, when they scrambled from the pocket, they were ruled down if a defender touched them. This stopped the offense on several occasions when Malik Willis could have run for a big gain and a first down to extend drives, but he was marked down.

The defensive line continues to look like the deepest and strongest unit on the team. It didn’t matter who was on the field for defensive line coach Josh Aldridge, they were able to produce. With starting defensive end TreShaun Clark missing the scrimmage as he continues to fight back from a calf strain, Stephen Sings worked with the first string defensive line. It also should be noted that Auburn transfer Jay Hardy did not play during the scrimmage as he is currently a practice player and still finalizing his eligibility status for this season.

True freshman Khristian Zachary impressed. One of Liberty’s highest rated recruits in school history frequently rotated from playing on the interior of the line to lining up at defensive end. He made his presence known on several occasions and broke free on one play for what would have been a sure sack.

Tennessee transfer and true freshman quarterback Kaidon Salter had limited reps, but he showed promise when given an opportunity. He’s obviously a dynamic athlete and will be able to make plays with his legs, but his passing ability was impressive. He connected with JUCO transfer Stetson Moore on a nice play on the sideline late in the scrimmage. Moore made a nice catch and Salter put the ball in the perfect spot.

True freshman Amarian Williams, who was Salter’s high school teammate in Cedar Hill, Texas, has cracked the second string at corner back. He’s moved ahead of Jimmy Faulks and Isaiah Avery while pushing the top three corners in Chris Megginson, Duron Lowe, and Marcus Haskins.

Here’s a look at the depth chart from Saturday’s scrimmage:

1st team Offense:

LT Tristan Schultz LG Jacob Bodden C Thomas Sargeant RG Brendan Schlittler RT Cooper McCaw
QB Malik Willis RB Joshua Mack WR Noah Frith WR Kevin Shaa WR DJ Stubbs TE Johnny Huntley

2nd team Offense:

LT Jonathan Graham LG Damian Bounds C John Kourtis RG Andrew Adair RT Bryce Mathews
QB Johnathan Bennett RB TJ Green/Shedro Louis WR Jaivian Lofton WR CJ Daniels WR Demario Douglas TE Jerome Jackson

3rd team Offense:

LT Mason Bundy LG Brian Hannibal C Carter Bradley RG Chase Mitchell RT Harrison Hayes
QB Nate Hampton RB TJ Green/Shedro Louis WR Treon Sibley/Stetson Moore WR Ahmad Jackson WR Kylen Austin TE Trevor Hobbs

It should also be noted that tight end Brayden Monday was the fourth tight end brought into the scrimmage as he played before Michael Bollinger.

1st team Defense:

DE Durrell Johnson DT Elijah James NG Ralfs Rusins DE TreShaun Clark (didn’t participate Saturday)
LB Rashaad Harding LB Aaron Pierre
CB Chris Megginson CB Duron Lowe
S Javon Scruggs S Cedric Stone S Skyler Thomas

2nd team Defense:

DE Aakil Washington DT Kendy Charles NG Henry Chibueze DE Stephen Sings
LB Ahmad Walker LB Tyren Dupree/Storey Jackson
CB Marcus Haskins CB Amarian Williams
S Rocket Rahimi S Quinton Reese S Juawan Treadwell

3rd team Defense:

DE Kaci Seegars DT Rashad Whitehead NG Chris Boti DE Khristian Zachary
LB Carlos Poole LB Jerome Jolly
CB Jimmy Faulks CB Isaiah Avery
S Benjamin Alexander S Jaylon Jimmerson S Chance Smith

One note on the linebacker depth chart, Tyren Dupree first rotated with the first team defense as he was inserted on 3rd and long plays. When the second team defense came onto the field, Storey Jackson was in at linebacker.